High Surf Makes for Dangerous Coastal Conditions

High surf pounded the California coast today, raising the risk of drowning, National Weather Service forecasters said.

In Los Angeles County, a high surf advisory will be in effect until 4 p.m. while in Orange County, a less serious beach hazards statement will be in force through this evening.

Forecasters are expecting surf of between 5 and 8 feet in L.A. County. In Orange County, surf of 3-6 feet is expected. The high surf, which is expected mainly along west- and northwest-facing beaches, is the result of a large, long-period west-northwest swell resulting from a storm in Northern California, forecasters said.

“Swimmers should stay out of the water. Beachgoers should stay off of rock jetties,” according to an NWS statement, which warned that large waves and strong rip currents will increase the risk of drowning.

“Large waves can suddenly overrun previously dry beaches and jetties as well as harbor walkways around the time of high tide,” a statement said. “Minor beach erosion is possible.”

Anyone caught in a rip current should swim parallel to shore until able to become free of it.

The NWS forecast partly cloudy conditions in Los Angeles County today, sunny skies in Orange County, and highs of 61 on Mount Wilson; 63 in Avalon and Laguna Beach; 64 in Palmdale, Newport Beach and San Clemente; 65 at LAX and in Lancaster and Saugus; 66 in Irvine; 67 in Long Beach, Fullerton, Mission Viejo and Anaheim; 68 in downtown L-A and Woodland Hills; 69 in Yorba Linda, San Gabriel and Burbank; and 70 in Pasadena.

Saturday’s temperatures will be 5-6 degrees higher in some communities, rise another several degrees Sunday, then revert to the 80s on Monday before starting a progressive cooldown. Sunny skies are forecast for the next several days.

City News Service